Schalk Brits fit, Embrose Papier starts as Bok-laden Bulls get set for Stormers

Springbok hooker Schalk Brits has shaken off a calf injury and will start at No 2 for the Bulls against his former team, the Stormers, in Saturday’s Super Rugby opener at Loftus Versfeld.

The 37-year-old Brits, who last played Super Rugby in 2011, picked up a calf niggle in last week’s 7-7 draw against Sharks in the Bulls’ final warm-up in Ballito, and was in doubt for the Loftus showdown.

But coach Pote Human included Brits and another ex-Stormers stalwart, Duane Vermeulen, in the starting line-up for Saturday’s clash (5.15pm kickoff).

Vermeulen will run out in the No 8 jersey in his first Super Rugby match since 2015, and will have two powerful figures in Hanro Liebenberg and Ruan Steenkamp alongside him in the loose trio.

Brits, meanwhile, will be surrounded by internationals in the tight-five – Bok tourist Lizo Gqoboka and Trevor Nyakane in the front row, and Jason Jenkins and captain Lood de Jager at lock.

Embrose Papier has won the nod at scrumhalf ahead of Ivan van Zyl, and he will provide the attacking direction in the backline with Handré Pollard.

The Bulls appear to be the stronger outfit on paper, but Human believes the Stormers will have the edge going into the game.

“Recent history shows how formidable the Stormers have been. They have won seven of their last nine games against us, so will have more than enough confidence coming here,” Human said on the Bulls website.

“That said, we did beat them here last year, so if we apply what we trained, I firmly believe we can do that again.”